Library of Congress Acquires Carl Sagan’s Papers

Some examples of the Carl Sagan's Papers on display at the Celebration Of Carl Sagan at The Library of Congress on Nov. 12, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — Astronomers and scientists joined Seth MacFarlane at the Library of Congress for the opening of a new collection of Carl Sagan’s papers.

The library has acquired the late astronomer’s papers with a donation from MacFarlane, the creator of TV’s “Family Guy.” Sagan’s widow and collaborator, Ann Druyan, joined the dedication Tuesday, along with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye and others.

Sagan was a pioneering space scientist, educator and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. He’s credited with helping to bridge the gap between academics and popular culture.

The collection is comprised of 1,705 archival boxes of materials. It includes Sagan’s earliest notebooks and report cards, his correspondence with scientists, and drafts and documents from the first 40 years of the space age.